The National Parks Service within the US simply introduced a sweeping ban on drones. The new coverage prohibits “launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service.” Why? Because they’re disruptive.
Drones are already banned in a number of nationwide parks, including Yosemite, for the easy proven fact that they’re a loud nuisance. These flying robots trouble park-goers. They trouble park rangers. And maybe most significantly, they trouble the wildlife. The Parks Service launch even lists infractions:
In April, guests at Grand Canyon National Park gathered for a quiet sundown, which was interrupted by a loud unmanned plane flying forwards and backwards and finally crashing within the canyon. Later within the month, volunteers at Zion National Park witnessed an unmanned plane disturb a herd of bighorn sheep, reportedly separating adults from younger animals.
Not all hope is misplaced for hobbyists who need a lovely backdrop for his or her aerial drone-o-graphs, although. The Parks Service itself may also proceed utilizing drones “for administrative purposes such as search and rescue, fire operations and scientific study.” The new coverage is described as a “temporary measure” pending a extra everlasting regulation which “can take considerable time” to get authorised.